▪calls on National Assembly to wade into matter
The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on
the Inspector-General of Police to with immediate effect transfer the
State Assistant Commissioner of Police , ACP , in charge of
Operations ,Steven Hasso and the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery
Squad (SARS ) Mr Akin Fakorede out of the the state for aiding
insecurity through illegal partisan actions.
The House also passed a resolution calling on the National Assembly
to wade into the matter by investigating the two police officers and
taking necessary action .
It will be recalled that policemen led by ACP Steven Hasso and the
Commander of SARS , Akin Fakorede on Thursday opened fire on PDP
supporters on peaceful procession to the Speaker . While one person
received bullet wound, the Channels Television Cameraman was rough
handled and his camera seized .
The House passed the resolution on Friday at the Chambers of the
State House of Assembly following a motion moved by the House
Leader, Martin Amaewhule and 18 other members of the House in view of
the violence meted out to PDP supporters and journalists by the
policemen under the leadership of ACP Hasso on Thursday in Port
Harcourt .
Moving the motion titled: “Motion to condemn Acts that can lead to
breakdown of law and order and call for the transfer of ACP Steven
Hasso and SARS Commander , Akin Fakorede “, Majority Leader Martin
Amaewhule berated the police for opening fire on PDP supporters on
peaceful procession to the Speaker of the House of Assembly and
beating up of Journalists, simply because they were detailed to do
the bidding of the APC .
He wondered why the ACP Steven Hasso would insist on leading APC
protesters into the preccints of the Government House , Port Harcourt
, only to turn around to physically assault and arrest the Chief
Security Officer to the Governor of Rivers State , after he was
stopped from forcing himself into the seat of governance.
The Majority Leader told the House that ACP Steven Hasso and the SARS
jettisoned their professional code of conduct by their provocative
acts of violence on PDP supporters and journalists , which were aimed
at causing insecurity in the state .
He said if nothing is done, the actions of the two police officers
will lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state .
The motion was seconded by the member, representing Emohua State
Constituency , Mr Sam Ogeh who noted that the Police infringed on the
right of the Rivers people by opening fire on a peaceful procession
on the order of ACP Steven Hasso .
He informed that Steven Hasso and the Commander of SARS , Akin
Fakorede invited 16 Divisional Police Officers to assist them attack
PDP supporters on peaceful procession , pointing out that some of
the officers declined participation .
Sam Ogeh declared that by attempting to invade the Government House ,
Port Harcourt in company of APC members , Stephen Hasso action
amounted to a coup against the Rivers people and the Government they
freely elected.
Contributing to the motion , Kelechi Nwogu of Omuma State Constituency
, called for the investigation and prosecution of Steven Hasso and
the Commander of SARS for acts inimical to the security of lives and
property in the state .
Deputy Speaker, Marshall Uwom condemned the police for disregarding
the rule of law and deliberately placing the state under siege
through provocative acts of violence .
Ruling on the motion, Speaker of the House , Rt Hon. Dabotorodima
Adams declared that the Inspector-General of Police must as a matter
of urgency transfer ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede
for their illegal partisanship targeted at causing insecurity in the
state.
He said: “The IGP shoulded be reminded about the actions of Mr Steven
Hasso and Mr Akin Fakorede in Rivers State. This is because the
outcome of the continued illegal operations and activities of this duo
in Rivers State will be placed, ultimately, under his responsibility.
“We urge the Governor of Rivers State in the strongest possible terms
to on behalf of the people of Rivers State , write again , to the IGP
requesting the immediate redeployment of Mr Steven Hasso and effect
the already ordered redeployment of Mr Akin Fakorede to Abuja”.
The State House of Assembly also urged the Governor to officially
inform the President that ACP Steven Hasso and SARS Commander , Akin
Fakorede are causing a breach of the constitution of the country and
likely to cause a breakdown of law and order .
The Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly also addressed
journalists wherein the speaker lamented the Thursday vicious assault
on government officials, media officials and PDP members by Steven
Hasso and Akin Fakorede.